MAEAP Verifies Twenty-Eight Farms in June

posted on July 17, 2012 1:13pm

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
(MAEAP) is recognizing twenty-eight farms for implementing appropriate pollution
prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and
federal environmental regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical
assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
recognized:

Zoet Poultry Inc., of Holland, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System at two locations.

Domaine Berrien, of Berrien Springs, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Southwest Mi. Research and Extension Center MSU, of Benton Harbor, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Pridgeon Farms, of Montgomery, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.

B.P. Pork, LLC, of Montgomery, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.

Jorae Farm, of St. Johns, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Frey Farm, of Charlotte, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Tirrell Farm, of Charlotte, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.

Hillcrest Organics, of Charlotte, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Welden Farms, of Jonesville, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

Cheney Farms, of Mason, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Excalibur Horse Center, of Howell, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.

Van Sickle Farms, of Hart, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

Maple Grove Farms Inc., of Hart, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.

Greiner Rainbow Acres, of Hart, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

A & L Farms Inc., of Grand Haven, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Moss Funnel Farms, of Bangor, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Bautista Blueberry Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Dorr Farms, of Lawrence, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.

Haeussler Farm, of Manchester, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

Shepherds Cross Station, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System at two locations.

De Grins Oer Dairy, of Blanchard, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Gardner Farm, of Roscommon, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

Gernaat Dairy Farms, of Falmouth, as a verfied farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.

Bautista Blueberry Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.

Gro-Green Farms, of Owendale, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

Mel Iseler Farm, of Port Austin, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.

Judge Dairy Farm, Inc., of
Shepard, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.

“I am pleased to announce that these farms have taken the
steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation,” said MDARD
Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Michigan is leading the way nationwide in
effective stewardship practices with the voluntary, incentive-based MAEAP
program. This continued effort shows agricultural producers long term
commitment to protecting the environment while maintaining economic success.”

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan
Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts,
conservation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies. More than 100 local coordinators and
technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move
through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 5,000 Michigan
farmers attend educational programs annually; 10,000 Michigan farms have
started the verification process; and more than 1,100 farms have been verified
to date.

To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three
comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting
a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action
plan addressing potential environmental risks. MDARD conducts an on‑farm
inspection to verify program requirements related to applicable state and
federal environmental regulations, Michigan Right to Farm guidelines, and
adherence to an action plan. When completed, the producer receives a
certificate of environmental assurance. To remain a MAEAP verified farm,
inspections must be conducted every three years and action steps must be
followed.

In March of 2011, Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill
122 and House Bill 4212, now Public Acts 1 and 2 of 2011, to codify the Michigan
Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into law.

MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet
personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. The program
encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental
risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, and Cropping –
examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental
impact. By participating in all three systems, producers can comprehensively
evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks.

For more information, visit the MAEAP website at
http://www.maeap.org or contact Jan Wilford, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at
517-241-4730.

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Media Contact: Heather Throne

517-373-1085 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)